These days, the desire for more meaningful, off-the-radar travel experiences has become increasingly common. Frequent travelers are more curious and seek experiences beyond traditional tours and activities.
People travel in order to connect with themselves but also the people they are traveling with, new cultures and destinations they are going to visit. It’s simply not enough to just go through all the usual tourist spots and take a picture for each of the many social media accounts you own.
That being said, the most important thing you can do, before hitting the road is doing some investigating on the subject. Since you’ve planned to visit Australia, one of the most sought-after destinations today, here are some tips and tricks on how to get the most of your Australian journey and enjoy it to the fullest.
Between incredible off-road locations, breathtaking secluded beaches, stunning coastlines and some of the best nightlife spots in the world, you’ll have a hard time deciding on where to go or what to do.
So, let us suggest a couple of ways to best spend your precious time and your hard-earned money.
Make your way through like a local
It’s coffee time – so, forget about Starbucks, as a true Australian would never be caught dead walking into one. Instead, order a real, strong cup of coffee from one of the local cafés. Try a flat white, which is not the same as a latte, and take it with one sugar. Stay away from standard full-cream milk and mix it up with soy milk, almond milk or a “skinny” just like a true Australian would.
One meal a day is usually enough – if you decide to stay in one of the bigger cities, you’ll soon realize that no one gets up in time for breakfast and no one really has the time for lunch at lunch hour, so the only thing left is a filling and enjoyable brunch, also known as “all day breakfast”. The best way to act like a real local is to eat like one.
Learn to talk like true locals – Don’t ever say “Good Day” in the city; instead, use “no worries”, “ta” (thanks), “arvo” (afternoon), and “brekkie”. Adopt the right lingo and you’ll blend in no time.
Top Things To See & Do
Before setting out to discover all the wonders this amazing country has to offer, keep in mind that you’re in the opposite hemisphere, so the best time to travel is during the winter, which is summertime in Australia. There is a great number of things you should see and do, but, if you have limited time, here are the top of suggestions you cannot miss:
1. Australia is best known for its natural beauties, from vast deserts to wild beaches and tropical forests. For your first time there, start with The Great Barrier Reef – one of the largest living structures on the planet and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Its uniqueness makes it a heaven for diving and snorkeling.
For some dry land adventure, go deep into the heart of the Australia’s Red Centre and visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The red monolith represents the centerpiece of the park surrounded by red, dome-shaped rocks called Kata Tjuta. The best way to understand these amazing structures is to join a tour led by Aboriginal guides and rangers.
And what better way to experience Australia than by catching a wave on a famous Bondi Beach. Perfect for surfing, picnics and long walks along the 6km coastline, Bondi is also a hotspot for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve celebration.
2. After soaking up the natural beauty of Australia, check out some of its concrete wonders. The most popular city is definitely Sydney, however, if you want to avoid going through the tourist traps, take a “power walk” down the George Street, and have a brunch with locals at Three Blue Ducks or Four Ate Five, dine at the Bridge Room or Tetsuya, go camping to Cockatoo Island, and shop in Surry Hills.
It’s All About The Food
If you’ve decided to fully immerse yourself into Australian culture, there’s no better way than by eating your way through it. Multicultural in its nature, Australia’s cuisine is influenced by the abundance of ethnic dishes. Most of them have been incorporated into the 21st-century Australian cuisine resulting in delicious culinary achievements, such as Chiko Rolls, an Australian version of Chinese spring rolls which is a deep-fried mixture of beef, cabbage, carrot, barley, onion, green beans, celery, and spices.
Anzac biscuit is a hard biscuit made by soldiers’ wives during World War I. Today’s modified version is made from oats, flour, butter, sugar, desiccated coconut, golden syrup, sodium bicarbonate, and water and it’s much tastier than it was during the war.
A Real Aussie afternoon tea – Anzac Biscuits
Pavlova is a special dessert made for Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. With its crisp crust and a soft filling made out of whipped cream, fresh fruit, and passion fruit pulp, it is no wonder that it’s considered one of the Aussies’ favorite sweets.
Besides being able to enjoy a number of diverse dishes, you can also take part in a unique Australian cooking experience by visiting a place called Peter’s of Kensington, well-known for its Demonstration Kitchen, which has welcomed some amazing chefs over the years. Try a small sample of each meal prepared by a famous chef while he or she walks you through the cooking process. What better way to really get to know the people and the culture than to connect through something that connects us all – deliciously prepared food.
So….
…. Go ahead and try all these new things you’ve read about! There’s so much of Australia left unexplored, so be the explorer. Go to the desert instead of a well-known night club and have yourself a real adventure. Isn’t that the whole point of travelling, in the first place?!
Any Questions or Tips to add?